How To Pick The Perfect Baby Name

 HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT BABY NAME

Just how to pick the perfect baby name for your baby. Picking a baby name for your newborn is one of the most  special and significant decision you’ll need to make as a parent. But, having to give another individual a name for life can seem a bit daunting. You may already have a great idea of what you want in a name. However, your well-meaning relatives may have slightly different views. The process can be all good if you have the right kind of information.

In this article, you’ll get tips and advice on how to pick the perfect baby name for your child. 

Categories of Names You Can Consider Choosing From

These categories make a great starting place when thinking about baby names.

Ethnic or Traditional Names

• Native American
• African
• Russian
• Irish
• Spanish
• French
• Greek
• Hawaiian
• Japanese
• Jewish
• Italian

Family Names

• Family customs
• Grandparent’s names
• Mother’s Maiden Name
• Juniors or III, IV

Place Names

• States
• Countries
• Cities

Contemporary Names

• Actors
• Politicians
• Athletes
• Book Characters
• Artists
• Songs
• Disney
• Movie Characters
• Television characters

Sacred Names

• Christian Names
• Muslim Names
• Jewish Names
• Buddhist Names
• Spiritual Names
• Virtue Names
• Hindu Names
• Confucian Names

Other categories of names also straddle times, astrology, history, mythology, colors, nature, and lots more. You can also begin to make your list by asking for suggestions from family and friends. There’s no fixed idea about picking the perfect names. So, settle for what works for you and your partner.

1. Consider the Importance of the Middle Name

You do not really need a middle name for your newborn. Nevertheless, a good percentage of families choose to give their children a middle name. Where you pick a gender-neutral first name for your baby, for example, you can complement it with a gender-specific middle name.

Say the names out loud to make sure the names sound good together And write down the initials of your proposed baby names to make sure they won’t raise eyebrows of sound silly.

2. Try Putting Last Names First

A good number of families have parents with diverse last names who hyphenate these names to show the connection between two families. For example, Ruth Donald-Roberts or Debby Williams-Graham.  Try this with your own family names to see if they work.

3. Family Backgrounds

The background of you family can also impact the choice of a name for your baby.  For instance, you first female has the middle name of the maternal grandmother. Your  second female may be given  the first name of the paternal grandmother. Some households have elongated lines of males with the corresponding names. It begins with a Junior (Jr.) and Senior (Sr.), after which it extends to Roman Numerals. For a good example, let’s take Billy Graham Jr., Billy Graham Sr., Billy Graham IV, and more such.

• Upholding your heritage and honoring your descent
• Honoring a deceased relation
• Raising a special name out of blend of a family’s first or last names
• Sustaining the usage of same initials for all in an close family

4. Avoid Trendy Names That Will Date Fast

Many parents  pick names that are trendy. Many of these trendy names often eventually fall short of their popularity and they date fast.

5. Classic Names Don’t Have To Be Boring

Classic names are a great choice. They may be traditional but they are beautiful and endearing. If royalty is your thing you may find Charlotte exciting.  Or if the Persian origin resonates with you, you can try the name Jasmine. Jasmine, if you recall, is also the Disney princess. What about Penelope? The name Penelope sounds similar to talent, expression and elegance.

For the male babies, there are many examples of classic names that would suit any baby. Baby names such as Harry, Archie, James, John and Peter are always popular

6. Take a Look at Your Family Tree for Inspiration

A baby name inspired from your family tree is a good idea. It actually gives you the opportunity to retain a family name, history or quality in a very special way. There are diverse imaginative means to make use of family names from history to name your baby. Start by drawing lists of new, last and middle names.

You can take two family surnames. You may use your own maiden name where you have accepted the last name of a spouse as a special name for children.

The names of the cities, countries, villages associated with where your family have dwelt may provide a great list of the names you want to look at. You can try the specific names of particular places for your family history as in the well-known examples of Milan, Georgia and Marseille.  Your family tree is another fantastic way to get inspiration for a baby name.

7. Think About Names from Your Culture

All over the world, every child  is given a series of ‘sounds’ which will be his or her name. The fact that the name belongs to the language of the parent, places the child as part of a specific society. Our names can see us as both individuals and members of an entity. In Native America, parents give children hidden names which they’ll not reveal until the child gets to puberty. Picking a baby name from your cultural tradition is a lovely way to appreciate your tradition.

8. Look Up the Meanings of Baby Names

Importantly also, you should look up the meaning of a baby name before giving it to your child. Make sure that you find a baby name meaning that your are happy with and has significance for you.

9.  Think About All Possible Nicknames In Case They Don’t Work

It pays to think carefully about the way your baby name can be shortened.  If you are happy with this then go  for it! Some parents choose to go with the nick name from the outset, for example Daniel which may be shortened to Danny or Dan. 

10. Make Sure You Check Out The Initials

The initials of a child also matter a lot. For instance, consider the name Benson Anna Denice (B.A.D).

11. Say the Name Out Loud

One other way you can choose a baby name is to say out the name of the baby loud. Do you like the rhythm and sound of the names?

12. Think Of Names Inspired By a Famous Personality

Celebrities often provide parents with inspiration for baby names. If you admire a particular person from the past or a present day this can give you names to put on your short list. Some celebrities choose to give their babies very unusual baby names. 

13. Will The Name Suit Your Baby As An Adult?

Bear it in mind that our baby will grow to become an adult. There are some names that may sound great for babies but are not for adults. The name may sound beautiful, classic and endearing. But you just take some time to imagine an adult life for your baby  called by the names you choose.

14. Consider Blending Your Two Favorite Names

When you’re naming your child, you might draw inspiration from combining two favorite names. This can give an quite unique and special name?

15. How Easy Is The Name To Spell?

Imagine names such as Rheagan, Geoffrey, Louis, Khaleesi, Imogen, Cassius, Saoirse, Aoife, Siobhan, and Rhys. Now, think of how easy it is to spell and pronounce these names.  Do you want to give your baby a name which they will have to spell constantly throughout their life?

16. Focus On  Gender

Do you want your baby to have a masculine, feminine or gender neutral?   There are many names which suit both genders which are great names for both sexes.

17. Religious Names

If your family has religious beliefs then you night want to consider a name which has significance for you.

18. Managing Family and Friend’s Influence

You may want to collect some names from friends and family and see if you like any.  Take them into account but always remember that you as parents have to pick a name you both like.

Always remember that ultimately the final choice of what to call your precious baby is yours.

Hopefully these tips will help you with ideas on how to pick the perfect baby name.

Free Printables

Download The App

Download Lullabies